Learning from Defeat

Yesterday, November 4th, 2014, was a Democratic Pearl Harbor. In an era of economic turmoil, with household median incomes down 10% since 2000 and continuing to fall, a robust job market was the number one issue for America’s voters. What was the Democratic message for voters with falling incomes and tenuous jobs? Reproductive rights.

The cause of another Democratic debacle is extraordinarily clear. A liberal-only Democratic Party is a political minority. To regain the political majority, Democrats must regain the faith of working men and woman – who voted yesterday for Republican candidates across the ballot.

The means of Democratic resurgence is also extraordinarily clear. Every Democrat must test every political issue with a simple question: “How is it good for America’s working families?”

• Tax breaks for corporations? “How is it good for America’s working families.”

• Cut public education? “How is it good for America’s working families?”

• Constrain reproductive rights” “How is it good for America’s working families?”

• Restrict gun ownership? “How is it good for America’s working families?”

• Repeal & Replace Obamacare? “How is it good for America’s working families?”

• Bomb ISIL? “How is it good for America’s working families?”

• Deport illegal immigrants? “How is it good for America’s working families?”

• Cut carbon emissions: “How is it good for America’s working families?”

Only when the Democratic Party has the backs of America’s working families will the majority of Americans entrust their votes to the Democratic Party. Democrats must prove we deserve their trust. The next test is in 364 days.